China sends planes to Egypt for stranded nationals
By IANS,
Beijing : China sent two planes to Egypt to bring back Chinese citizens stranded in Egypt Monday.
Explosion in Israel kills three
By IANS,
Jerusalem : At least three people were killed and over 10 suffered injuries late Thursday night in an explosion in a central Israeli city, Xinhua reported Friday.
Pakistan reduces petroleum prices
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has brought down petroleum prices. The price of petrol has been reduced by Rs.3 per litre, diesel by Rs.2.01 and light speed diesel by Rs.1.13, media reports said.
Over 16,000 Pakistani kids not given polio drops
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over 16,000 children were not given polio drops in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province due to parents' misconception, officials said.
Pakistan’s fiscal deficit stands at Rs.1.3 trillion
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan's fiscal deficit during 2010-11 stood at a mind-boggling Rs.1.3 trillion, official data shows.
Chinese, Bangladeshi legislators hold talks
By IANS,
Beijing : Top Chinese and Bangladeshi legislators met Wednesday and vowed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
One dead as boat capsizes in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : One person was killed and 31 people, including college students, went missing after a boat capsized in a canal in Pakistan's Punjab province, a media report said Monday.
Two die in Pakistan landmine blasts
By IANS,
Islamabad : A shepherd and a girl were killed in two landmine explosions in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Kuwait, Lebanon hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Baghdad : Kuwait and Lebanon held talks Thursday on the sidelines of the 23rd Arab summit in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Benazir Bhutto’s BlackBerry phones found
By IANS,
Islamabad : Investigators probing the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto said they have found two BlackBerry mobile phones belonging to the slain leader.
David Cameron was right on “Islamist” extremism
By A. Faizur Rahman for TwoCircles.net,
Yunus removal didn’t help country’s image: Minister
By IANS,
Dhaka : The removal of Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus has not helped the country's image, Bangladesh Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith has admitted.
Pakistan condemns Quran burning incident
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has condemned the burning of the Quran in the US, saying such an act was a threat to religious harmony, according to a media report.
Extremist Jews attack Palestinian children in Jerusalem
By KUNA,
Gaza : A group of extremist Jews attacked a number of Palestinian children in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem Sunday night using sticks and gas against the youth.
Indian is appointed Dean of Vatican University’s canon law faculty
By UCAnews.com,
Rome: Dr. Jesu Pudumai Doss has become the first Indian to be appointed dean of the 70-year-old canon law faculty at the Universita’ Pontificia Salesiana (UPS) in Rome.
Youth teases girl, angry father shoots his parents
By IANS,
Islamabad : A retired Pakistan Army officer, who flew into a rage after a youth teased his daughter, shot dead youth's parents.
Pakistani student wins global competition
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani schoolboy has won a world maths competition, a media report said.
Suspected Al Qaeda gunmen kill six in Iraq
By Xinhua
Tikrit (Iraq) : Six people were killed when suspected Al Qaeda gunmen attacked two houses in a rural area in Iraq's northern province of Salahudin early Saturday, police said.
"Gunmen, allegedly affiliated to Al Qaeda, attacked two houses outside the town of Duluiyah, 90 km north of Baghdad, killing a total six people," it said.
The attackers stormed the house of Saadoun Ahmed Meshlib, killing him and his three sons, while another group of gunmen attacked the house of Ziyad Ibrahim Khalil, killing him and his son before fleeing.
Yamani chairs meeting of Protection of Competition Council
By SPA
Riyadh : Minister of Commerce Dr Hashim Yamani chaired here today an extraordinary meeting of the Protection of Competition Council.
The Council’s Secretary General Mohammed Sindi said the participants of the meeting had reviewed issues pertaining to the hike of the prices of diaries and their derivatives.
The Council has ordered its General Secretariat to investigate in this respect.
Iran lashes out at Bush’s speech against Tehran
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran on Monday lashed out at U.S. President George W. Bush's recent speech that accused Tehran of the world's "leading state sponsor of terror."
"Bush's statements are the signs of desperation, hopelessness and the sense of failure in his last months of presidency," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said in a statement.
He said that Bush has failed to acquire the consent of the Islamic and Arab countries in the region due to his "unilateral support of the Zionist regime (Israel)."
Iraqi Judge Killed in Shooting
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : The judge of the Court of Appeals and member of the Supreme Judicial Council, Amir Jawdat al-Naeib, was shot dead in the Iraqi capital on Monday, while gunmen opened fire and killed two soldiers dressed in civilian clothes.
Al-Naeib and his driver were ambushed and killed by gunmen in two cars in the Mansour district of western Baghdad as he was being driven to work from his home.
Meanwhile, in the southern neigborhood of Zafaraniya, another group of armed men in a car opened fired at two soldiers wearing civil clothes and killed them.
Two Palestinian dies, three injured in Israeli air raid
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed on Friday while three others were injured when Israeli aircraft executed a raid on Jabaliah town in the north of Gaza Strip.
The Israeli planes fired a couple of missiles at a group of Palestinians who were walking on one of Jabaliah streets, killing two of the pedestrians and injuring three others, eyewitnesses said.
According to Palestinian medical sources, the victims were identified as Ismail and Mahmoud Al-Barsh, in their 20s. The injured were admitted to Al-Shifa'a Hospital for medical care.
Egypt welcomes visit of Iranian Speaker
By NNN-IRNA
Cairo : An Egyptian parliamentarian on Sunday welcomed the scheduled visit to Cairo of the Iranian Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.
Head of foreign policy committee of the Egyptian Parliament, Mustafa al-Faqi told IRNA that the visit is an indication of the growing trend of Tehran-Cairo relations.
Haddad-Adel is to visit Egypt later this month to attend a meeting of the Islamic Interparliamentary Union.
Al-Faqi added that talks to be held between the Iranian speaker and senior Egyptian officials would lead to expansion of bilateral cooperation.
Five soldiers killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : At least five soldiers were killed early Tuesday when militants attacked their post in Pakistan's tribal area of South Waziristan bordering Afghanistan, the military said.
The militants launched a pre-dawn attack on a military post in a village in South Waziristan where a Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud, blamed for the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, is said to be hiding.
"Security forces retaliated with fire causing heavy casualties on miscreants," the military said in a statement.
Two policemen killed in Baghdad bombing
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Two policemen were killed and three other people injured in a bomb attack in central Baghdad on Thursday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"A roadside bomb detonated at about 8:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) near an Iraqi police patrol in the al-Andelus Square in Karrada district," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The blast resulted in the killing of two policemen and the wounding of a policeman and two civilians, the source said.
Bereaved Chief of Lebanese Security vows no let-up in anti-terrorism fight
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Chief of the Internal Security Force, who lost two of his leading personnel in a fiery blast on Friday, vowed on Saturday to carry on the fight against terrorism.
Major General Ashraf Riffi, Director-General of the ISF, also known as the police, affirmed at a ceremony at his headquarters in Beirut in homage to the souls of the two officers, Major Wissam Eid and his bodyguard, also an officer, determination of the regular force to press on with the combat against terrorism.
Police identifies suspect in Bhutto assassination
By KUNA
Islamabad : Police Tuesday claimed identifying a suspected suicide bomber who killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in an election campaign in December in adjacent Rawalpindi city.
The suicide bomber, who blew himself up after another militant fired shots at Bhutto, has been identified as "Bilal" who comes from the Waziristan tribal region, along the Afghan border, news channels quoted police sources as saying.
The arrest has been made, said sources, after a lead provided by earlier arrested teenager suspect Aitzaz Shah.
Abbas reiterates resolve to take control of crossings
By Xinhua
Cairo : Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday reiterated the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)'s resolve to take control of the crossings, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
Upon his arrival here, Abbas told reporters that the Palestinian Authority is resolved to take control of the crossings to serve the interests of the Palestinians.
However, Hamas's refusal to hand over control of the crossings to the PNA means that the group doesn't want to serve the Palestinians' interests, Abbas was quoted by MENA as saying.
Two Jihad activists killed in Israeli ambush
By KUNA
Ramallah : Two activists of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement were killed and another injured in an Israeli ambush in Qabatyia near Jenin on Monday.
Ammar Zakarna, 20, and Ahmad Abu Zeid, 32, died before they were rushed to hospital, medical sources in Jenin said, adding that several bullets were found in different parts of their bodies.
Naji Nazal, 22, who was seriously wounded in the Israeli ambush, underwent a surgical operation, the sources said.
Israeli operation leaves 2 militants dead in south Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israeli troops killed two militants from Gaza's ruling radical Islamic movement Hamas and wounded several Palestinians in border clashes, Hamas hospital sources said on Tuesday.
The two activists from Hamas's military arm were shot dead in eastern Rafah near the southern border of the Palestinian enclave during a routine operation by Israeli troops in an area used by militants to launch rocket attacks on Israel.
The Israeli Air Force earlier killed a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing in northern Gaza.
Islamic Jihad rejects deployment of international forces in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Jihad movement vowed Wednesday to deal with any international forces in Gaza in the same way as it deals with the Israeli occupation.
"We renew our refusal to deploy these forces and we will consider them an occupation force," said Walid Hilles, a spokesman for the movement.
The Islamic Jihad made the statement following reports that the Israeli government was studying a possibility of deploying multinational forces in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip similar to the UN international forces in southern Lebanon.
Germany to increase its forces in Afghanistan
By DPA
Berlin : Under pressure from Washington to help western forces more in Afghanistan, Germany is to boost its troop contingent and extend their zone of deployment westwards, a news weekly said Saturday.
Der Spiegel reported that officials would propose raising the parliamentary authorization for the mission from an upper limit of 3,500 to 4,500 personnel.
Berlin would also offer to take on peacekeeping in Badghiz province, currently in the care of an Italian command.
Palestinian negotiator refuses statehood without Gaza, Jerusalem
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas won't accept a future statehood without the Hamas-run Gaza Strip or Jerusalem as its capital.
"The Palestinian statehood will not be created without the West Bank, Jerusalem as the capital, and the Gaza Strip," said Erekat.
Emaar Properties proposes 20 percent cash dividend
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS
Dubai : Real estate giant Emaar Properties, which is building the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai, has proposed a cash dividend of 20 percent of the nominal value of shares to be ratified at its upcoming annual general meeting March 19.
"To achieve our Vision 2010 of being one of the most valuable companies in the world, the business must reinvest its resources for Emaar to continue its path to growth," Emaar Properties Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar said in a statement here Wednesday.
Pakistani team releases report on Bhutto’s assassination
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani police released a report on Wednesday about the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition People's Party Benazir Bhutto.
Speaking at a news conference in Rawalpindi, Abdul Najeed, assistant inspector general of the Pakistani Police Central Intelligence Department said two suspects arrested by the police confessed to their involvement in the assassination of Bhutto.
Abdul Najeed said the two suspects told the police about their conspiracy to kill Bhutto.
Iran summons Danish envoy as cartoon row resurfaces
Tehran (ANTARA News) - Iran summoned Denmark's ambassador to protest the reprinting on Wednesday of a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed that caused bloody riots in the Islamic world two years ago, the state run IRNA news agency reported.
The cartoon, one of a series of 12 cartoons first published in September 2005 that sparked protests in early 2006, was reprinted in at least 17 Danish newspapers a day after Danish police foiled a murder plot against the cartoonist.
Former ISI chief foresees Iran-like revolution in Pakistan
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS
Toronto : Former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Hamid Gul, believes "an Iran-like revolution" is possible in the country if President Pervez Musharraf does not step down immediately.
In a hard-hitting interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Gul also didn't rule out the forcible removal of Musharraf.
If Musharraf does not step down, Gul said: "We may have to think (about forcibly removing him) because, after all, the country is more important.
KFAED signs loan agreement with Sudan to finance traffic dam project
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has announced it will soon sign a loan agreement worth 16 million Kuwaiti dinars (USD 59 million) to contribute in the financing of a traffic dam project in Sudan.
KFAED said in a statement Thursday the project aims to meet the demand for electric power and reducing the cost of electricity production through the establishment of a dam and a hydroelectric station on the Nile River.
British Muslims speak out against barrage of Islamophobia
By IRNA
London : A coalition of Muslim organizations on Friday spoke out against the latest barrage of Islamophobia following the recent call by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the accommodation in Britain of some aspects of Sharia law.
The coalition, led by the Muslim Council of Britain and British Muslim Forum urged the country's two million community to "stand up and be counted as equal citizens" in the face of the mass hysteria in the press and elsewhere.
Palestinian brigades attack Israel”s Soufa Crossing
By KUNA
Gaza : The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel's Soufa Crossing Saturday morning.
In a statement, the brigades said one of its units launched an "advanced" locally-made missile at the crossing, located close to Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Muslims hold London vigil to demand equal citizenship
London, Feb 16, IRNA ,Over 30 Muslim organizations in Britain joined together Saturday in a vigil outside Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office to demand equal citizenship in the face of a new barrage of prejudice and contempt against Islam.
"Now is a time for solidarity; to affirm respect, equality and parity for all Britons, irrespective of race and creed," the organizations said.
Pakistan: ‘Zardari resisted pressure from Musharraf, US to go with PML-N’
By NNN-PTI
Islamabad : Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari overcame pressure and enticement from President Pervez Musharraf's camp and the US to not align with former premier Nawaz Sharif's party, to form a coalition government with the PML-N, a media report said here today.
Zardari, who yesterday announced along with Sharif that their parties would form a coalition, was offered governments at the centre and at least three of the four provinces if he distanced himself from the PML-N and allied with the PML-Q and other pro-Musharraf forces.
Israel preparing for new war: Hezbollah chief
By DPA
Beirut : Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, Friday accused Israel of preparing for a new war against his country, similar to the July 2006 conflict.
"Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Imad Muganiyeh is a prelude to open war against Lebanon and part of new tactics by Israel of cutting off the heads of Hezbollah leaders," Nasrallah said.
He was addressing a massive rally in Beirut's southern suburbs to commemorate the death of Muganiyeh, who was killed in a car bomb blast Feb 12 in Damascus.
Pakistan police arrests suspects
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan police Wednesday arrested three suspected terrorists and captured suicide jackets and chemicals from them.
Shorkot Police said the suspects who belonged to an outlawed outfit were planning to target some important political leaders of district Jhang.
Police are investigating and expect sensational disclosures.
S.Korea”s dependence on Middle East crude oil up
By KUNA
Tokyo : South Korea's crude imports from the Middle East fell 2.8 in December from the previous month to 62.07 million barrels, as imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar decreased.
But Seoul's heavy dependence on the Middle East further went up by 2.2 month on month percent point to 84.0 percent and exceeded 80 percent for five months in a row from August, due to the decline in shipments from Asia and Africa, according to the latest data released by the state-run Korea National Oil Corporation.
Roadside bomb kills senior police officer in northwest Pakistan
By SPA
Peshawar, Pakistan : A roadside bomb killed a senior police officer and his driver Friday as they drove through a militancy-plagued region of northwestern Pakistan, AP quoted police as saying.
The bomb killed Javed Iqbal, the deputy police chief of the Lakki Marwat district of North West Frontier Province, and his driver as they were driving through the district, said Khaled Khan, a police official. It was unclear who was behind the attack.
UNSC holds emergency meeting on Israel’s incursion into Gaza
By Xinhua
United Nations : The United Nations Security Council started an emergency meeting early Saturday evening to discuss the latest Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip.
The meeting was called at the request of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, diplomats said.
The Israeli army invaded the northern Gaza Strip Saturday, killing dozens of Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others.
Israeli ground troops pull out of northern Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Bring in Hamas, International Herald Tribune
By IRNA
Paris : Last October, a bipartisan group of eminent former senior government officials, including Brent Scowcroft, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Lee Hamilton and Paul Volcker, urged President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice not to entertain the fantasy that an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord can be negotiated with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, without the participation of Hamas, International Herald Tribune said on Wednesday.
Northern Iraq Police Station Attacked
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : Friday's attack with explosives against a police station killed four agents and wounded another dozen in the northern city of Mosul, reported health authorities in the area.
A driver crashed his vehicle against Al Waqas police station at the center of that city.
According to an official version spread in Mosul 17 people were injured in those attacks, 10 of them police agents.
Explosion in hotel in SW Pakistan kills one person
By KUNA
Islamabad : A person was killed and four others were wounded in a bomb explosion Saturday in Southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, police said.
A time-bomb ripped through a small hotel in Kohlu district of Baluchistan when a number of workers were having their lunch, police sources told KUNA.
They said the explosion killed a person and wounded four others. They added that two of the wounded were in critical condition.
It also badly damaged the hotel and shattered window glasses of several nearby shops.
Iranian FM visits Syria for talks on regional affairs
By NNN-Xinhua
Damascus : Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived here on Saturday for talks with Syrian leader on regional affairs.
Iran's Charge d'Affaires in Syria Masoud Hosseinian told reporters that Mottaki, who returned from visits to several African countries, would have a short stop in Damascus. He did not elaborate.
Mottaki was expected to meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his counterpart Walid al-Muallem, focusing on the latest developments on the Lebanese and the Palestinian arenas.
French reporter injured in Iraq
By ANTARA News/DPA
Baghdad : Militants injured a French reporter early Saturday in the city of Erbil, some 350 kilometres north of Baghdad, after attempting to rob and sexually abuse her in a hotel in the city, media reports said.
Militants attacked French reporter Ceisen Emy Bonne, 33, in Horman hotel, police sources told Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency.
They had tried to rob and sexually assault the journalist and struck her in the chest when she resisted.
Israel agrees ceasefire with Palestinian gunmen in Gaza – website
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel and armed Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have reached a ceasefire agreement, an Israeli website said on Sunday, referring to sources in the Palestinian enclave.
The agreement on the ceasefire came into effect this weekend, during which only one rocket was fired at Israel's southern towns, Ynet said.
In turn, Israel suspended army raids and air strikes on Gaza, which have claimed the lives of more than 120 Palestinians since late February, the website said.
Israel lifts siege on Palestinian territories — radio
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli Army has lifted a siege on the Palestinian territories that was imposed last Thursday following a deadly attack on a Jewish religious schools in Jerusalem.
A spokesman of the army, cited by Israel Radio on Monday, said the decision was taken after Minister of Defense Ehud Barak held consultations with chiefs of the Israeli security apparatus and the armed forces, assessing the security conditions.
UAE SMEs Explore Franchise Opportunities in Europe
By WAM
Dubai : Buoyed by a highly competitive business friendly investment climate and nurtured by government incentives, the small and medium enterprises in the UAE are eyeing matured markets overseas for franchising opportunities to maximize their growth potential.
Reflecting this trend, seven member companies of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders accompanied by the Establishment?s officials will participate in the Franchise Expo Paris.
Filing of charges against Bhutto killers delayed
By Xinhua
Rawalpindi : A Pakistani anti-terrorism court here Tuesday delayed filing charges against five suspects accused of being involved in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a court official said.
Judge Habibur Rehman adjourned hearing till April 21, but gave no reason for the adjournment.
Bhutto was assassinated shortly after she addressed an election rally in the garrison city near capital Islamabad Dec 27 last year.
The five men, arrested in the weeks following the assassination, were taken to the court by police commandoes under tight security.
At least 63 killed, as many injured in Iraqi violence
Baghdad, March 23 (DPA) At least 63 people were killed Sunday, including Iraqi soldiers and members of the same family, while 63 were injured in separate incidents across Iraq, officials and media reports said.
In southeast Baghdad, militants opened fire on civilians in the Zafarneyia district killing seven and wounding another 16, the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency reported. The dead included women and children.
Another five Iraqis were killed and eight injured when a rocket struck a residential area in Baghdad's Kamiliya district.
Palestinian forces to deploy in West Bank — radio
By KUNA
Gaza : Palestinian forces will soon be deployed to Bethlehem south of the West Bank in addition to other major towns in the area after Israel granted its approval, the Israeli radio said on Wednesday.
"This approval came after Israel's defense minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday said he would soon allow 600 foreign-trained Palestinian police to take up positions in the West Bank town of Jenin in a gesture aimed at helping the moderate Palestinian government restore law and order," the radio quoted security sources as saying.
Israeli army arrests Hamas military leader – radio
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli army arrested Hamas military leader Dawood Jaber early Wednesday morning, the Israeli radio reported.
The Israeli army spokesman told the radio, "The arrest of 6-year wanted suspect Dawood Jaber took place in Tolkarem, northern Gaza Strip." Israel accuses Jaber of plotting the suicidal bombing of Bark Hotel, five years ago, which resulted in the death of 30 Israelis.
Meanwhile in Gaza Strip, Palestinian Security sources said that militants killed the leader of Jaish Al-Islam (the army of Islam) after kidnapping him yesterday.
Iraqi Vice President arrives in Damascus for Arab summit
By Xinhua
Damascus : Iraqi Vice President Adel AbdulMehdi arrived here on Friday to attend the forthcoming Arab summit due on Saturday and Sunday.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had previously planned to come for the summit, but he changed his schedule after deciding to enforce crackdown on Shiite gunmen as Iraqi troops battled militias in the cities of Basra and Kut. Iraq was strongly present in the Summit given the current regional circumstances, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters before Abdul Mehdi's arrival.
Russian rail chief in Iran to discuss electrification
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : The head of Russian Railways (RZD) will meet with officials in Tehran on Saturday to discuss plans for the electrification of parts of Iran's rail system, the company announced.
Vladimir Yakunin will meet with Iranian Minister of Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rahmati and the head of Iran Railways, Hassan Ziyari.
"The sides will discuss perspectives for bilateral cooperation in rail transport, in particular the electrification of parts of the Iranian rail network," a spokesperson told RIA Novosti.
Police: US air strike kills 8 in Basra
By SPA
Baghdad : Iraqi police say a U.S. warplane has destroyed a house in Basra and killed eight civilians, including two women and one child.
The U.S. military says it's looking into the report.
A local policeman says seven others were wounded when the plane strafed a house in the Hananiyah neighborhood, according to a report of the Associated Press.
Pakistan to restore constitution, strengthen all institution – PM
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has categorically stated that the present government will restore the constitution, strengthen all institutions, ensure provincial autonomy and come up to the expectations of people with regard to independence of judiciary and freedom of media.
Israeli minister comes under fire from Gaza
By DPA
Tel Aviv : Israel's Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter and his delegation came under fire from Gaza Friday as they were touring Israel's border area near the strip, the minister said.
Dichter escaped unharmed, but his bureau chief, Matti Gil, was said to have sustained injuries.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed Palestinian militants opened fire from the Gaza Strip, aiming either at the group of officials and civilians, or possibly at nearby army outposts or patrols. She confirmed one person was injured.
Abbas authorizes Egypt to talk with Hamas
By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah movement authorized Egypt to hold talks with rival Hamas faction on several issues, an aide to Abbas said on Saturday. The issues include reinforcing a ceasefire between armed Palestinian groups in the Hamas-ruled Gaza and Israel, according to Nabil Shaath, Abbas' representative in Egypt.
Iran to observe Nuclear Technology Day April 8
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Iran will hold its second Nuclear Technology Day April 8 during which the government would tout the country's achievements in the nuclear sector.
Iran has so far defied three rounds of UN sanctions in its insistence on developing nuclear power generation capability which several Western powers suspect is a cover for weapons development.
Government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham told reporters Saturday: "Our goal was always to produce nuclear fuel and to develop generation capacity of 20,000 mw at our nuclear power plants."
Iran sends letter to UN over three Persian Gulf islands
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran has sent a letter to the United Nations over its ownership of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf region, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference Monday, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, announced the above while commenting on a recent claim of the United Arab Emirates officials over the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa.
Israeli troops kill at least one Palestinian militant in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israeli troops have killed at least one Palestinian militant in a military operation in northern Gaza, local medical officials said Tuesday.
The Israeli military reported however that two militants had been killed and that small arms and antitank grenade launchers had been found on them.
Israel Defense Forces said the operation was carried out to counter "standard terrorist threats - sniper and missile fire and attempts to break through the border by militant groups."
Pakistan and France Sign Defense Collaboration Plan
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan and France have signed a defense collaboration plan for the year 2008-09, an official statement said.
The Director-General of foreign military cooperation, Maj-Gen Noor Hussain, and Deputy Chief of the Staff of French Forces for International Relations, Air Marshal Pierre Bourlot, signed the plan in Islamabad.
The Two countries agreed to enhance military cooperation and offer military courses and training assistance for tri-services officers .
Israel air strikes kill two in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israel's Air Force launched strikes on the southern Gaza Strip on Friday morning killing two militants, local health authorities said.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli aircraft launched two rockets at a militant group in the east of the city of Khan Yunis. Another two militants were slightly wounded.
The dead militants were reportedly members of the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam brigades, a militant wing of hard-line Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Palestinian enclave.
8 police killed in Afghan attacks
By SPA
Kandahar, Afghanistan : Afghan officials say eight policemen have been killed in two attacks in southern Afghanistan.
Kandahar provincial police chief Sayed Agha Saqib says militants attacked and killed four police eradicating a field of poppies in Maiwand. Saturday's attack was at least the third time militants have killed police on eradication teams in the last month.
Gereshk district police chief Khair Uddin Shuja says Taliban fighters ambushed a police vehicle overnight and killed four officers and wounded seven in neighboring Helmand.
Emirates launches service to Washington
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has launched a daily non-stop service from Dubai to Washington's Dulles international airport.
UAE charity distributes food to Yemenis
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The Khalifa Bin Zayed Humanitarian Foundation of the UAE has distributed food to over 500 Yemeni families in a famine-struck desert area in the country.
250 held in Dubai for breaking the law
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The Dubai municipality in cooperation with Dubai police has apprehended 250 street vendors, beggars and car-washers for violating the law.
Israel, US test new missile defence system
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel and the US have carried out the first successful test of the Arrow 3 missile defence interceptor, the Israeli defence ministry said.
Pakistan poll panel meets over rigging complaints
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Election Commission of Pakistan summoned a meeting Monday to review complaints of rigging in last week's polls, a media report said.
Saudi Arabia beheads Syrian drug trafficker
By IANS/AKI,
Riyadh, May 20 : A convicted Syrian drug trafficker has been beheaded in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi interior ministry said in a statement Monday.
Two killed, five injured in Afghanistan suicide attack
Kabul : At least two people were killed and five injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Afghanistan Monday, an official said.
"A...
Amnesty International releases second edition of Manual to combat injustice
By A. Mirsab,TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Amnesty International has recently published second edition of ‘Fair Trial Manual’ to help combat injustices around the world. The first edition of ‘Fair Trial Manual’ was published in 1998 primarily to support Amnesty International staff and members. The first edition was overwhelmingly accepted around the world which benefitted number of lawyers and activists who fight for injustices meted out to innocents. Due to the increased demand the first edition had to be published in 15 languages.
11 ‘Al-Qaeda links’ arrested in missing Malaysian plane probe
Kuala Lumpur : A group of eleven suspected terrorists with links to Al-Qaeda have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the disappearance...
Ukraine allows Malaysian personnel deployment at MH17 crash site
Kuala Lumpur : The Ukraine parliament has ratified a bilateral agreement which allows up to 90 Malaysian non-military personnel to be deployed at the...
Islamabad braces for protest marches as Pakistan celebrates independence
Islamabad : As Pakistan celebrated its 68th Independence Day Thursday, supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) parties remained determined...
Israel slams militant Islamists in UN address
United Nations:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday lashed out at militant Islamists in a speech at the UN, saying Palestinian militant group Hamas and...
Death toll rises to 40 in Iraq’s Diyala car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion in the city of Baquba, the capital of Diyala province on Tuesday, rose to 40 with some 70 others injured, a provincial police source said.
"The latest reports said that up to 40 people were killed and some 70 others injured by the Baquba car bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, the source put the toll at 12 killed and more than 40 others wounded.
Jordan to boost cooperation in transport field with all Arab countries
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi has said that Jordan was keen to develop cooperation with all Arab countries in the transport field.
He highlighted the important role played by the transport sector, as it is the main pillar for cooperation in the economic and trade fields and in the movement of goods and passengers among countries.
Abbas sees greater role for Russia in Mideast peace process
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A Moscow Mideast peace conference slated for June will strengthen Russia's role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with a Russian daily.
He arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit on Wednesday, and is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today.
Abbas told Nezavisimaya Gazeta he hoped the meeting would remove obstacles in the way to a peace settlement and "will salvage the peace process."
US backs Pakistan’s negotiations with militants
By IANS,
Washington : The US has expressed support for the new Pakistan government's move to negotiate with militants who lay down their arms, saying it was the outcome - the end of Al Qaeda and other extremists - that matters.
Richard Boucher, the US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Wednesday lauded the Pakistani leadership's avowed commitment to the war on terror.
Islamic Chamber of Commerce’s general assembly held
By IINA,
Jeddah : Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal opened the 24th session of the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday night. Addressing the session, Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the pivotal role the chamber plays in the service of the Islamic countries’ economies, manifested in enhancing trade exchange among member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Israeli Army Kills Gaza Family
By Prensa Latina,
Ramallah : Israeli tanks attacked a locality in Gaza Strip, killing seven Palestinians, four children among them, and wounding about 20 others, medical sources informed.
The incursion was against Beit Hanun, one of communities most attacked by the Israeli army in northern Gaza.
The sources added the four children were brothers ranging from 1to 7 years of ages, and their mother also died when a projectile struck the house.
Female suicide bomber kills two anti-Qaida members in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A female suicide bomber blew herself up among a group of local Awakening Council fighters in a town in Diyala province on Tuesday, killing two of them and wounding 10 others, a local police source said.
Suicide bomber kills at least 16 in eastern Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : A suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 40, the local Tolo TV channel said.
The attack came after militants had fired shots and rocket-propelled grenades at a police station in the town of Khogyani. The suicide bomber then detonated his device in the middle of a crowd as civilians fled the fighting.
Israeli, Egyptian FMs to meet in London
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is scheduled to meet her Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit in London on Friday, local daily Ha'aretz reported on Tuesday.
The anti-smuggling issue is one of the topics the two ministers are expected to address, said the report, adding that the two neighboring countries have already been trying to resume their joint efforts to halt arms smuggling into Gaza for Palestinian militants.
Seven die in Afghan security forces raid
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : Afghan security forces raided the Kabul hideout of insurgents with suspected links to the weekend attack on President Hamid Karzai, sparking a clash that left at least seven people dead Wednesday, officials said.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene said the two sides traded rocket-propelled grenade and automatic gunfire for several hours before the clash in the capital ended by midmorning.
Interior Ministry spokesman Zemerai Bashary described the suspects as terrorists.
Iran warns Europe not to cross “red lines” in nuclear offer
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran on Saturday warned European countries not to cross its "red lines" in a new offer of incentives to coax Tehran to roll back its nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The European countries are well aware of Iran's red lines, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during a joint press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al-Qurbi.
I’m powerless, says Zardari after seven hours of talks
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : The two leaders of Pakistan's ruling alliance have failed to reach agreement on the important issue of reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, agreeing to disagree after seven hours of inconclusive talks here.
Voter is responsible for determining country”s future — candidate
By KUNA,
Kuwait : The fifth constituency candidate for the parliament elections Fatma Al-Nahham said the Kuwaiti citizens hold a great responsibility in determining a better future for the country.
She added in a symposium held in Al-Fintas area, late on Sunday, at the development center, the candidates' responsibility lies in choosing the efficient candidate who is capable of working for the best of the country.
Blast in Turkey’s dairy products factory killed two
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two workers were killed and 5 others
were injured in a blast occurred in a dairy products factory in Cubuk town of Turkish capital city of Ankara on Thursday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Israeli prosecution upholds Talansky’s deposition in Olmert’s case
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli State Prosecutor's Office on Sunday voiced its support for a court decision to hear preliminary testimony from New York financier Morris Talansky in the ongoing criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Olmert has no right to challenge the Jerusalem District Court's decision on Talansky's deposition scheduled on May 25, the prosecution told the Supreme Court in response to a petition from Olmert, who allegedly received illegal funds from Talansky before becoming the prime minister in 2006.
Syria says it is involved in peace talks with Israel
By KUNA,
Damascus : Syria announced on Wednesday that it was involved in peace talks with Israel under Turkish sponsorship.
The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an official source of the Foreign Ministry as saying Syria and Israel had begun indirect peace talks under Turkish auspices.
Musharraf to resist moves to remove him
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has served notice that he would firmly resist moves to curb his powers or remove him from office, saying he has the support of "powerful" friends like the US.
"If the coalition government tries to clip the powers of the president or proposes his impeachment, Musharraf is all set to go all-out to counter the move," The News reported Thursday.
Bahrain Elected to Human Rights Council
By SPA,
United Nations : The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on Wednesday elected 15 out of 26 member states from five regions vying through a secret ballot for a seat on its Human Rights Council, an international body that address human rights issues.
Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste were both defeated in the Asian category by Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, and Pakistan.
Britain and France defeated Spain for a European seat.
Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine beat the Czech Republic in the Eastern Europe category.
U.S. soldier killed in bomb attack north of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An American soldier was killed on Monday by a roadside bomb explosion in Salahudin province north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
The soldier died as a result of fatal wounds sustained from the blast in the province, the military said in a brief statement.
Two more soldiers were wounded by the blast and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment, the statement said.
The name of the deceased soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.
Negotiations must lead to ending Israel’s 1967 occupation – Erekat
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Negotiations with Israel must lead to ending the 1967 occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, said the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.
In a statement to "Voice of Palestine" radio Tuesday, he refuted reports that Israel had presented, during its negotiations with the Palestinians, a withdrawal plan that would leave the Jewish state in control of 8.5 per cent of the West Bank.
Erekat: Abbas, Olmert to meet on Monday
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekatsaid Saturday that President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hold another round of talks on Monday.
"There are three major issues on the agenda of the meeting on Monday, namely agreeing on a truce in Gaza, discussing the ongoing peace talks and the commitment to the implementation of the roadmap peace plan," Erekat told "Voice of Palestine" radio in Ramallah.
He stressed that the basic issue to be discussed in the Abbas-Olmert meeting is "the Israeli-Palestinian calm."
Israeli army halts Gaza oil supply due to rocket attack
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday ceased oil transfers to the Gaza Strip after a Qassam rocket hit the Nahal Oz fuel terminal.
The spokesman of IDF told Xinhua that the rocket fired by Palestinian militants hit the Gaza side of the Nahal Oz crossing. One Palestinian worker was severely wounded.
No Palestinian militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack amid ongoing similar home-made rocket attacks targeting Israeli communities along the border with the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leader calls on Europe to change Palestine policy
By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : Hamas leader Khaled Meshall has urged Europe to take a lead role in finding a solution to the Palestine question.
In an interview with the EuroNews TV channel broadcast late Wednesday night, Meshall said the Europeans "need to know that there isn't a solution by hiding behind the American's impossible conditions. The solution is to give Palestinians their rights and put an end to the Israeli occupation. At the moment, there is a historic chance".
Two Palestinian militants killed in West Bank
By RIA Novosti,
Gaza : Israeli troops have killed two Palestinian militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, as a landmark Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and the radical Islamic group Hamas enters its sixth day, Palestinians sources said on Tuesday.
Palestinian security sources said a senior Islamic Jihad movement commander and a gunman belonging to the group were killed early on Tuesday morning in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces.
An Israeli military spokesman only confirmed the death of the commander, who was allegedly preparing an attack on Israel.
Israel re-opens three border crossings
By IINA,
Jerusalem : At least three border crossings between Israel and Gaza were re-opened yesterday, after Palestinians halted cross-border attacks that threatened an Egypt-brokered peace deal, officials said. The Sufa commercials crossing, the Nahal OZ fuel transfer deport and the Erez border terminal for travelers began functioning at 8 am, with few restrictions still in force, Israel said.
Pakistani PM vows to meet people’s basic needs
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday said that price hikes and other crises were inherited, however, his government would provide relief to the masses.
He was speaking at a seminar organized on the performance of the new Pakistani government during its first 100 days.
Gilani said that wheat, rice, sugar and other food commodities were not available in the market when he assumed the office. However, necessary measures have been taken to overcome the crisis since then, he said
Yemen: 800,000 African refugees, mostly Somalis, by end 2007
By NNN-IRIN,
Sana'a : The Somali consul in the port city of Aden, southern Yemen, said hundreds of African migrants crossed the Gulf of Aden to Yemen in June in search of a better life in Saudi Arabia despite a high risk of death at sea or at the hands of ruthless smugglers.
"They made the perilous sea journey despite rough seas. The number of arrivals registered by the UN Refugee Agency [UNHCR] was over 700, while those who were not registered stood at about 350," Hussein Hajji, the Somali consul, told IRIN.
US considering recall of more troops from Iraq
By IANS
New York, July 13 (IANS) The US is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning September, following pressing need for more troops in Afghanistan in the face of intensified insurgency by Taliban, the New York Times reported Sunday.
By the time President George W. Bush leaves office Jan 20, at least one and as many as three of the 15 combat brigades stationed in Iraq could be recalled or scheduled for recall, the daily said Sunday, citing US administration and military officials.
Philippines likely to reopen embassy in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Manila : The Philippines is likely to reopen its embassy in strife-torn Iraq within the year as the situation there continues to improve, an official from the country's Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The decision to reopen the embassy in Iraq would depend on security reports from the U.S. government intelligence, Philippine TV network GMA News Reported, citing Jesus Yabes, assistant Foreign Secretary for the Middle East and African affairs.
Coalition operation eliminates several militants in C Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Several militants were killed Tuesday during a U.S.-led Coalition forces operation to disrupt militant activities in central Afghan province of Wardak, said a Coalition statement released here on Wednesday.
Coalition forces searched several compounds in Sayed Abad district targeting a Taliban commander suspected of conducting attacks on Coalition forces, including the June 26 attack in Wardak resulting in the deaths of three Coalition service members and an Afghan interpreter, the statement said.
Italy condemns terrorist attacks in Turkey
By KUNA,
Rome : Italy condemned Monday the terrorist attacks that occurred in Istanbul Sunday evening and expressed its support to Turkey's membership in the European Union (EU).
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in a press release issued by his ministry that he condemns the attacks which killed 16 people and injured 154 others as acts of terrorism.
The release said the minister sent, Monday morning, a cable to his Turkish counterpart expressing the Italian government's support.
It also said that Frattini stressed his support to Turkey's membership in the EU.
Pakistan incapable of anti-terror policy, says media
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is incapable of formulating a policy against terrorism because it blames the scourge on the West, an editorial in a leading English daily said Wednesday, noting with alarm that vast swathes in the country's north and northwest were under the effective control of the Taliban and the Al Qaeda.
"Since it blames terrorism on the West in general and America in particular, Pakistan is also incapable of formulating policy against terrorism," Daily Times said in an editorial headlined "New policy against terrorism?"
Peace process on hold till Pakistan acts against terror: Antony
By IANS,
New Delhi : India will not take the sub-continental peace process forward until Pakistan acts against the terrorists operating from its territory, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday.
"We will not take the peace process with Islamabad further till it takes stern action on terrorism emanating from its soil," Antony told a conference of the Indian Air Force (IAF) top brass here.
The India-Pakistan peace process came to a grinding halt following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that India blames on elements operating from Pakistani territory.
With trust in Zardari waning, US wooing Sharif: NYT
By IANS,
New York : As American confidence in the Pakistani government wanes, the Obama administration is reaching out more directly than before to Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari's chief rival Nawaz Sharif, the New York Times said in a report.
American officials have long held Sharif at arm's length because of his close ties to Islamists in Pakistan, but some Obama administration officials now say those ties could be useful in helping Zardari's government to confront the stiffening challenge by Taliban insurgents, the influential newspaper said Saturday.
Iran’s allegations on interference absurd: Obama
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama Tuesday accused Iranian officials of making the US a scapegoat in an attempt to distract the people from the debate and protests surrounding the country's presidential elections.
Obama told reporters that the United States is "not at all interfering in Iran's affairs" and strongly condemned the beatings and imprisonment of protesters.
Pakistani helicopters kill 28 Islamist militants
By DPA,
Islamabad : Helicopter gunships attacked the hideouts of Islamist militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, killing at least 28 rebels in overnight action, security officials said Thursday.
The bombardment came hours after a pro-government tribal elder, Malik Guli Shah, and his two guards were shot dead by gunmen in the Khyber district.
"Our three helicopters engaged several positions of Lashkar-e-Islam in the Sandapal and Akakhel areas of Tira Valley (Khyber district) late Wednesday," said Wajid Ali, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps.
Put curbs on intelligence agencies, Dawn says
By IANS,
Islamabad: India and Pakistan need to put curbs on their intelligence agencies in order to end interference in each's other internal affairs, a leading Pakistani newspaper said Thursday.
In an editorial on the Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing's (RAW) alleged involvement in insurgent activities in Balochistan, the Dawn said: "Stopping the meddling is more important than the manner in which it is brought to an end. It is the final result that counts."
Two more British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
London : Two more British soldiers have died in separate bomb blasts in Afghanistan, bringing the total killed there so far this month to 22, the defence ministry in London said Monday.
It said one of the men who died was taking part in the second stage of Operation Panther's Claw, the US-led offensive in southern Afghanistan. Both deaths occurred Monday.
July has proved the "bloodiest" month so far for British troops in Afghanistan, where 191 service personnel have now died since operations began in 2001.
Afghan elections will be challenging: British envoy
By DPA,
London : The presidential elections in Afghanistan later this month will be "very challenging" but measures are in place to "mitigate" threatened disruption from Taliban forces, Britain's ambassador to Kabul said Wednesday.
Mark Sedwill, speaking via videolink to a briefing at the Foreign Office in London, said the recent increased fighting in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan had guaranteed that about 70 percent of the people there would be able to vote.